There are some things that just aren’t good for you and yet we love them anyway: candy, soda, Justin Bieber records. ("Beauty and a Beat"—how could nobody have thought of that before?) For a college basketball fan, what falls into this category most obviously is the ranking of the next season’s top teams that is released immediately after the most recent season ended.

Hope you enjoyed the Wildcats’ abject misery this past winter, because coach John Calipari is returning with what might be the most talented team he’s ever coached. He’s recruited the top-rated high school prospect at four of the five positions, and he’s in the picture with Wiggins, the best prospect of them all. Personnel matter to watch: Wiggins’ college choice.

2

of 11

Michigan State

The Spartans will feature their customary level of toughness and a player in shooting guard Gary Harris who could become a first-team All-American. They will miss the presence Derrick Nix provided beneath the goal but could be a quicker, more electric team as they move forward. Personnel matter to watch: Early entry decisions from Harris, PF Adreian Payne.

3

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Arizona

It’s kind of interesting that someone who was a terrific college point guard, coach Sean Miller, has had to work his first four seasons with the Wildcats without benefit of a reliable playmaker. Now he gets Duquesne transfer T.J. McConnell, who is quick, alert and has the benefit of two seasons as a starter and a year learning how to follow Miller’s instructions. The Wildcats are loaded with young frontcourt talent, and those players will benefit from the presence of a true playmaker. Personnel matter to watch: None.

4

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Louisville

The Cardinals still have the coach who made them champions, so that’s a start. They also have serious frontcourt power with Chane Behanan and Montrezl Harrell, and a couple of useful big men in Stephen Van Treese and Zach Price. Final Four hero Luke Hancock and starter Wayne Blackshear return on the wing. Guard Russ Smith will reportedly enter the NBA draft, so the backcourt will be in the hands of newcomers Chris Jones and Terry Rozier. If Smith returns, repeating as national champs is not out of the question. Personnel matter to watch: Early entry decision from Smith.

5

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Syracuse

The Orange will have to rely on a freshman point guard, Tyler Ennis, but freshmen often excel at that position for coach Jim Boeheim. It’s the big guys who need time to develop, and C Dajuan Coleman had a whole year to adjust. With Coleman and Rakeem Christmas joined by terrific PF C.J. Fair, the inside game will thrive. SF Jerami Grant has a chance to star. Personnel matter to watch: Early entry decision from Fair.

6

of 11

Duke

It will hurt to lose both inside players, especially when coach Mike Krzyzewski didn’t trust Marshall Plumlee even for short stretches as a backup. But Krzyzewski always seems to find a way to make these transitions work. Adding Jabari Parker to the lineup offers the flexibility of being extremely fast or extremely big. Personnel matter to watch: None.

7

of 11

North Carolina

The Tar Heels’ late-season resurgence couldn’t be sustained in the tournament, but incoming freshmen Kennedy Meeks and Isaiah Hicks, and sophomore Joel James should give the team an opportunity for a greater physical presence. The four-out look was a good solution for last season’s problems, but the Heels won’t be this good if they’re playing undersized again. Personnel matter to watch: Early entry decision from SF P.J. Hairston.

8

of 11

Ohio State

The emergence of PF LaQuinton Ross late in the season allows the Buckeyes to picture him as an ideal replacement for Deshaun Thomas, and no one will have to beg Ross to take all those shots Thomas leaves behind. The Buckeyes still have the luxury of four starters (Aaron Craft, Shannon Scott, Sam Thompson and Lenzelle Smith) for three perimeter positions.
Personnel matter to watch: None.

9

of 11

Indiana

Logically IU will not rank nearly this high if All-American center Cody Zeller chooses not to spend another season in college basketball. Some view his move as automatic, but we’re less convinced. In the same way as his brother Tyler benefited by completing his career at North Carolina, Zeller needs the improvement that would come with being used more often as a face-up shooter now that Christian Watford is gone. Personnel matter to watch: Early entry decision from Zeller.

10

of 11

Florida

The decision by C Patric Young will be met with indifference by some because he hasn’t become a great player. But let’s not forget how really valuable it is to have a very good player who is 6-10, 260 pounds. Kenny Boynton was a fine college player, but who wouldn’t trade him for the potential offered by incoming freshman Kasey Hill? The Gators still will be elite defensively. Personnel matter to watch: None.